The Future of the Volunteer Doctors Foundation

Since its inception in 1969 , the Foundation has played a unique role in the area of health services in Thailand , particularly for the poor people who are most in need . It is a recognised pioneer in health care delivery systems ., specifically in two key areas .

The first is the the deployment of mobile medical teams . Having inroduced this concept in the 1970's ,the Foundation has been successful in bringing modern medical services to the poorest people in the remotest areas of the Kingdom .

The second is the use of long distancce communication technology , through which the Foundation has been a pioneer in introducing medical outreach services . These have provided a unique means for saving lives and reducing sufferimg that otherwise would not have been possible .

From today's perspective , the success of the Foundation can be attributed to three factors which have served as its guiding principles .

1) H.R.H. the Princess Mother has provided the Foundation with a clear vision of the dynamic nature of its role .

2) H.R.H. the Princess Mother's selfless committment and dedication to the task has inspired confidence in the volunteers of the Foundation , and has led a wide range of peolple to participate in the activities . These people are also the ones who provide the skills anf support necessary for its success .

3) The close co-operation between the Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health has led the former to play a unique and complementary role in the Ministry's regular activities .

The Foundation's early strategy well suited the conditions of Thailand in the 1970's . During these years , Thailand still suffered from a relatively underdeveoped health service system , in an economy that was still predominantly agriculture .

Since the mid 1980's , however , there has been a rapid expansion of health care services throughout the Kingdom , such an accomplishment is possible due partly to rapid improvements in transportation and communication systems. These have adequately satisfied the basic needs of rural people , apart from a fes isolated remote areas and some particular needs .

The Foundation has responded to these changes by introducing three new programmes which address needs not covered by the present expanded health service system . These are dental health service , treatment for people with deformities , and funding for resreach . The three programmes have proven to be both successful and popular , ans have generated a wide participation of and support from the public .

In addition , the Foundation's planning system has been improved to provide more clearly defined targets for the mobile medical teams and the mibile outreach services .

Thailand in the 1990's will be characterised by the need to deal with industrial pollution caused by accelerating industrialisation , the preservation of environment as amean of protecting the quality of life , and the improvement of health care and working conditions in factories . There will also be increased demands for health care for the elderly .especially in rural areas due to the breakdown of the extended family system as a result of migration .

A the same time , a substantial improvement is expected in the delivery of basic social services such as health care and education throughout the Kingdom .

The future therefore promises more changes in the environment in which the Foundation operates . During the 1970's and 1980's the needs of villagers in the poor areas were primarily concerned with health and education . Now ,1990's villagers will be more concerned with the environment and the quality of life , and also the Foundation 's future development will be centered around three concerns .

The Foundation's role during 1970's and 1980's was primarily to fill gaps in the basic services provided by the Government .Now that these gaps have been filled , its role in the 1990's will be to complement the Government's activities in promoting the quality of life for the villagers .

In the Future , the Foundatiopn intends to continue tio adapt the range of its activities , as well as the structure of its organization and its system of working . In particular , it is developing a more systematic planning process , as well as a more intensive capability in monitoring existing operations . Its research activities will play a key role in providing the Foundation with a clear understanding of emerging needs and trends , as well as with options to respond effectively .

Future tasks will remain difficult and complex . But the faith , dedication and sacrifice of the volunteers , combined with the devotion of the staff and the management under its selfless and farsighted leadership , will ensure that the Fioundation continues to play a unique rolw as a catalyst in the struggle to help thje less fortunate throughout Thailand .